Snowshoe and Its Method of Construction

ABSTRACT

Snowshoe with upper side fixable to a ski boot and lower side interface-able with terrain, a frame having a pair of lateral struts, arranged on opposite sides of the frame&#39;s centreline plane, directed along a prevailing direction of the longitudinal axis, the side members extending from a front end to a rear end, each side member extending on an opposite side with respect to the centreline plane. In correspondence with front and rear ends, respectively, the frame includes front and rear crossbeams that mechanically connect said ends with each other, the crossbeams arranged astride the centreline plane. Lateral struts, front and rear ends are made of different materials and/or have different shapes or thicknesses so the lateral struts have increased rigidity versus the front/rear ends. The snowshoe comprises a central body mechanically connected to the lateral struts and having at least one central crampon positioned on the lower side.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. BS2014A000025, filed Jan. 23, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

This invention relates to a snowshoe and its method of construction.

The snowshoe is a tool that allows walking easily on fresh snow because it increases the surface tread upon and, thus, also the “floatation” typically used in activities of hiking on snow-covered environment.

Snowshoes are also suitable for use on icy terrain because provided with crampons that increase their grip on the terrain.

BACKGROUND

In the technology sector, two types of snowshoes are known.

The first type involves the construction of a continuous perimeter frame, closed according to a substantially elliptical or oblong geometric shape that serves as an anchor for a central or internal structure for support and gripping the terrain. This central structure typically comprises a canvas made of various materials that has the function of increasing the contact surface and, thus, the floatation on the ground, as well as increasing the grip. The central structure may also be provided with a crampon with teeth for a better anchoring to the terrain. This first type of snowshoe does not excel in either floatation properties on the terrain or gripping properties. Moreover, the canvas arranged in the central portion is subject to abrasion and does not allow a direct fixing of crampons or other gripping means.

The second type of snowshoe involves the use of a body made of plastic material having a large support area which greatly increases the floatation of the snowshoe; in addition, the plastic body is used for fixing crampons of various types.

This solution, while being more resistant to abrasion compared to canvas, does not always ensure an optimal behaviour of the snowshoe with respect to the torsion stress along a main longitudinal axis of the snowshoe itself and/or flexion relative to a transverse axis, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

In fact, in order to obtain a grip or secure grasp on the terrain, it is essential that the snowshoe not be excessively rigid, but be able to elastically deform under the weight of the user, in order to conform as much as possible to the shape of terrain. It is only through such elastic adaptation that the snowshoe is always able to ensure the optimum grip. In fact, a snowshoe that is too stiff would provide a poor grip in the case of uneven terrain, for example in the case of very rigid surfaces (for example frozen or partially supported by rocks). In such situations the proper pliability of the body of the snowshoe allows its adaptation to the terrain and increases the number of teeth or crampons actually gripping.

At the same time, a snowshoe that is too pliable is ill suited to soft terrains as this reduces the floatation of the snowshoe and makes it heavy and fatiguing when walking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The solutions of the known art, therefore, do not allow having a snowshoe that always ensures an optimal grip in all terrain conditions, is highly wear-resistant and is comfortable and easy to use

Therefore, there is a need to solve the drawbacks and limitations mentioned in reference to the prior art.

This need is met by a snowshoe according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of this invention will be more understandable from the following description of its preferred and non-limiting examples of embodiments, wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 are perspective views, from different angles of a snowshoe according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view from below of a snowshoe according to this invention;

FIGS. 4 a-4 b are side views, in different steps of construction, of a strut of a snowshoe according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the strut of FIG. 4 b, from the side of the arrow V of FIG. 4 b.

The members, or parts of members, in common between the embodiments described below will be indicated with the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the above figures, 4 globally indicates a snowshoe comprising an upper side 8, suitable to be fixed to a ski boot and a lower side 12, suitable to interface with the terrain. In addition, the snowshoe comprises a frame provided with a pair of lateral struts 16,18, positioned on opposite sides A, B in relation to a centreline plane M-M of the frame, directed along a main longitudinal direction X-X.

The lateral struts 16,18 each extend from a front end 20 to a rear end 24, each lateral strut 16,18 extending on only one of said opposite sides A,B in relation to the centreline plane M-M.

In correspondence of said front and rear ends 20,32, the frame respectively comprises a front crossbeam 24 and a rear crossbeam 32 which mechanically connect said ends 20,24 to each other, the crossbeams 28,32 being positioned astride the centreline plane M-M.

The lateral struts 16,18 and the front and rear ends 20,24, are made of different materials and/or have different shapes or thicknesses so that the lateral struts 16,18 have an increased rigidity compared to the ends 20,24.

The snowshoe 4 comprises a central body 36, fitted with at least one central crampon 40 positioned on the lower side 12, the central body 36 being mechanically connected to the lateral struts 16,18.

Typically, the central crampon 40 is not of the fixed type but is supported by a rocker base fixed to the boot, so as to follow the tilting movement of the associable boot during the walking phase.

The lateral struts 16,18) define the transversal dimensions of the snowshoe 4, along a transversal direction perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction X-X.

The lateral struts 16,18 constitute perimetral elements that define at least partially the perimeter of the frame of the snowshoe 4.

According to an embodiment, the lateral struts 16,18 have a tubular cross-section in relation to a cross-section plane perpendicular to said main longitudinal direction X-X. In other words, according to a possible embodiment, the lateral struts 16,18 have a hollow section.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lateral struts 16,18 are made of metallic material; it is also possible to make the lateral struts 16,18 of plastic material, preferably of the reinforced type, and/or at least partially of glass or carbon fibre.

The lateral struts 16,18 can be made in a single piece; according to a possible embodiment, at least one lateral strut 16,18 comprises a plurality of parts joined to each other by respective intermediate joints.

According to an embodiment, the mechanical connection between the front and rear ends 24,24 of the lateral struts 16,18 and the respective front 28 and rear 32 crossbeams is made by means of mechanical connection means such as rivets, pins or screws.

According to an embodiment, the mechanical connection between the front 20 and rear 24 ends of the lateral struts 16,18 and the respective front 28 and rear 32 crossbeams is made by over-injection of the crossbeams 28,32 on the ends of the lateral struts 16, 18.

For example, the front and rear crossbeams 28,32 are moulded in plastic. It is also possible to make the front and rear crossbeams 28,32 of different materials, such as composite materials but also metal.

According to an embodiment, at least one of said front and rear crossbeams 28,32 is made in one piece with the central body 36.

Said central body 36 comprises at least a pair of appendages 44 that connect mechanically, on opposite sides of the centreline plane M-M, to the lateral struts 16, 18.

According to an embodiment, the lateral struts 16,18 are provided with teeth or crampons 48, on the lower side 12 of the snowshoe 4.

Preferably said crampons or teeth 48 are in one piece with the lateral struts 16,18.

Preferably, the crampons or teeth 48 are joined to the lateral struts 16,18 in such way that the lateral struts 16,18 have a closed circular section.

Said closed tubular section may have different geometries. For example: said closed tubular section of the lateral struts 16,18 is circular.

According to an embodiment, the lateral struts 16,18 have a closed tubular section provided with a flat surface 52 resting on the terrain.

Preferably the crampons or teeth 48 are attached to the lateral struts 16, 18 at said flat support surface 52.

For example: said closed tubular section of the lateral struts 16, 18 is hexagonal. Preferably, the crampons or teeth 48 are fixed on one side of this hexagonal section, which constitutes said flat surface 52 resting on the terrain.

Now, the method of constructing a snowshoe 4 according to this invention will be described.

In particular, the method comprises the steps of preparing a frame of the snowshoe 4 provided with a pair of lateral struts 16,18, arranged on opposite sides with respect to a centreline plane M-M of the frame, directed along a prevailing longitudinal direction X-X, in which the lateral struts 16,18 each extend from a front end 20 to a rear end 28, each lateral strut 16,18 extending on only one of said parts A,B, opposite with respect to the centreline plane M-M. One proceeds with the step of preparing a front crossbeam 28 and a rear crossbeam 32 and mechanically connecting the front crossbeam 28 to the front ends 20 of the lateral struts 16,18 and the rear crossbeam 32 to the rear ends 24 of the lateral struts 16, 18, said crossbeams 28,32 being positioned astride the centreline plane M-M.

The lateral struts 16, 18 and the ends 20,24, are made of different materials and/or have different shapes or thicknesses so that the lateral struts 16,18 have an increased rigidity compared to the ends 20, 24.

In addition, one prepares a central body 36, fitted with at least one central crampon 40 positioned on a lower side 12 of the snowshoe 4 and mechanically connecting said central body 36 to the lateral struts 36.

As mentioned above, the step of connecting the front and rear crossbeams 28, 32 to the front and rear ends 20,24 of the lateral struts 16,18 can be done either by interposing mechanical connections such as screws, rivets and the like or by over-moulding the front and rear crossbeams 28,32 directly on the front and rear ends 20,24 of the lateral struts 16,18.

In addition, the method can comprise the step of providing the lateral struts 16, 18 with teeth or crampons 48 on the lower side 12 of the snowshoe 4.

According to an embodiment, the lateral struts 16, 48 and the teeth or crampons 48 are made by means of an extrusion step in relation to an extrusion axis parallel to the main direction of the struts, in such way that the lateral struts 16, 18 have a closed tubular section and are provided, in one piece, with a rib 56 (FIG. 4 a). Then, by machining on said rib 56 full, said teeth or crampons 48 (FIG. 4 b) are derived, for example by means of numerical control machining, such as, for example, with a numerical control milling machine, so as to set the desired tooth profile according to the needs of the user.

As can be appreciated from the description, the snowshoe according to the invention allows overcoming the drawbacks presented in the prior art.

In particular, the snowshoe according to the invention has a higher tendency to floatation and, at the same time, a remarkable adaptability to the terrain by means of elastic torsional and/or flexural deformation.

In particular, the lateral struts confer high rigidity to the snowshoe and also a solid support and anchorage for the crampons.

Moreover, the longitudinal connection ends, on the one hand, increase the support surface and therefore the floatation of the snowshoe and, on the other hand, confer better torsional rigidity to the snowshoe by adapting the support surface of the snowshoe to uneven and rough terrain.

In other words, the lateral struts constitute the rigid and resistant frame of the snowshoes and the longitudinal ends increase the support surface and allow a controlled deformability, of a torsional type, between the struts themselves.

In addition, the lateral struts constitute solid and reliable supports for the side crampons that provide considerable additional grip with respect to that provided by central crampons of the known type.

In this way, the snowshoes have a remarkable grip both in correspondence to the central portion, usually connected to the ski boot of the user, and in correspondence to the peripheral portion, which forms the skeleton of the racket.

In particular, the positioning of the crampons on the lateral struts, on the one hand, improves the grip of the snowshoe since there is no risk that projecting side portions of the body of the snowshoe can come into contact with the terrain before the side crampons, preventing them from gripping the terrain. In this case, the possible contact of the side body of the snowshoe with the terrain, would make the side crampons completely ineffective. This possibility is avoided in the snowshoes according to this invention thanks to the positioning of the side crampons precisely in correspondence to the lateral struts. In this way, there can be no contact between the body of the snowshoe and the terrain without having the grip of the side crampons since these latter constitute the body of the snowshoe and the maximum side dimensions of the snowshoe itself.

On the other hand, the positioning of the crampons on the lateral struts involves a further technical problem: in fact, even a slight inclination or roll of the snowshoe with respect to an axis of inclination or roll passing through the longitudinal centreline plane of the frame involves the lowering and thus sinking of a longitudinal strut and, at the same time, the raising the opposite strut. So, even for small inclinations or rolls of the snowshoe, due for example to an uneven terrain, there is the risk that only the crampons arranged on the strut that lowers or sinks ensure a secure grip. However, this additional risk is avoided by the fact that the snowshoe according to the invention has a controlled torsional behaviour: thanks to the control of the torsion, the racket can twist with respect to a longitudinal axis passing through said centreline plane and, this way, also the longitudinal strut arranged on the side in the phase of lifting is able to sink into the terrain. In other words, if the body of the snowshoe were a rigid board and undeformable by torsion, in the case of inclinations or rolls, there would always be a strut gripping the terrain and the other lifted and, therefore, without grip. The controlled torsion obtained from the particular architecture of the snowshoes according to the invention allows, instead, the twisting of the snowshoe so as to always bring the crampons of the lateral struts to grip the terrain.

It should be noted that even the method of construction of the snowshoe according to the invention provides advantages.

For example, the snowshoe comprises a plurality of elements assembled and disassembled with each other: any breakage of a part of the body or of the plastic material of the ends does not necessarily imply replacement of the whole snowshoe. In fact, it is possible to replace the single damaged piece.

The construction technique of the struts provided as a single piece with the crampons or teeth involves further advantages of both a structural and economic type. From the structural point of view, the construction of the piece improves both the mechanical flexural strength and, above all, the torsional strength of the strut.

In addition, the crampons themselves are stronger; it is also possible to obtain the strut provided with a rib in one piece and without teeth by drawing. Subsequently, one can obtain the teeth or crampons by the removal of material from said solid rib. This operation is advantageous because, on one hand, the teeth are extremely strong and, on the other, it is possible to customize the profile of the teeth or crampons according to the user's requirements. In other words it is possible to change the phase of removal of material from the rib simply by reprogramming a numerical control machine in order to obtain the preferred profiles.

A person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs, may make numerous modifications and variations to the snowshoes described above. 

1. A snowshoe comprising an upper side, suitable for being attached to a ski boot and a lower side suitable to interface with the terrain, a frame provided with a pair of lateral struts, positioned on opposite sides in relation to a centreline plane of the frame, directed along a main longitudinal direction, wherein the lateral struts each extend from a front end to a rear end, each lateral strut extending on only one of said opposite sides in relation to the centreline plane, wherein, at said front and rear ends, the frame respectively comprises a front crossbeam and a rear crossbeam which mechanically connect said ends to each other, the crossbeams being positioned astride the centreline plane, wherein, the lateral struts and the front and rear ends are made of different materials and/or have different shapes or thicknesses so that the lateral struts have an increased rigidity compared to the front and rear ends, wherein the snowshoe comprises a central body, fitted with at least one central crampon positioned on the lower side, the central body being mechanically connected to the lateral struts.
 2. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the lateral struts define the transversal dimensions of the snowshoe, along a transversal direction perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction.
 3. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the lateral struts constitute perimetral elements which define at least partially the perimeter of the frame of the snowshoe.
 4. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the lateral struts have a tubular cross-section in relation to a cross-section plane perpendicular to said main longitudinal direction.
 5. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein at least one lateral strut comprises a plurality of parts joined to each other by respective intermediate joints.
 6. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection between the front and rear ends of the lateral struts and the respective front and rear crossbeams is made by means of mechanical connection means such as rivets, pins, screws.
 7. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical connection between the front and rear ends of the lateral struts and the respective front and rear cross-beams is made by over-injection of the crossbeams on the ends of the lateral struts.
 8. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear crossbeams are elements moulded in plastic.
 9. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said front and rear crossbeams is made in one piece with the central body.
 10. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein the central body comprises at least a pair of appendages which connect mechanically, on opposite sides of the centreline plane, to the lateral struts.
 11. The snowshoe according to claim 1, wherein said lateral struts are fitted with teeth or crampons, on the lower side of the snowshoe.
 12. The snowshoe according to claim 11, wherein said teeth or crampons are in one piece with the lateral struts.
 13. The snowshoe according to claim 11, wherein the teeth or crampons are joined to the lateral struts in such way that the lateral struts have a closed circular cross-section.
 14. The snowshoe according to claim 13, wherein said closed tubular cross-section of the lateral struts is circular.
 15. The snowshoe according to claim 13, wherein the lateral struts have a closed tubular cross-section fitted with a flat surface resting on the ground.
 16. The snowshoe according to claim 15, wherein the teeth or crampons are attached to the lateral struts at said flat support surface.
 17. The snowshoe according to claim 15 wherein said tubular section of the lateral struts is hexagonal.
 18. A method of making a snowshoe comprising the steps of: providing a frame of the snowshoe fitted with a pair of lateral struts, positioned on opposite sides in relation to a centreline plane of the frame, directed along a main longitudinal direction, wherein the lateral struts each extend from a front end to a rear end; each lateral strut extending on only one of said opposite sides in relation to the centreline plane, providing a front crossbeam and a rear crossbeam and mechanically connecting the front crossbeam to the front ends of the lateral struts and the rear crossbeam to the rear ends of the lateral struts, said crossbeams being positioned astride the centreline plane, wherein the lateral struts and the front and rear ends are made of different materials and/or have different shapes or thicknesses so that the lateral struts have an increased rigidity compared to the ends, providing a central body, fitted with at least one central crampon positioned on a lower side of the snowshoe and mechanically connecting said central body to the lateral struts.
 19. The method of making a snowshoe according to claim 18, comprising the step of: fitting the lateral struts with teeth or crampons, on the lower side of the snowshoe.
 20. The method of making a snowshoe according to claim 19, comprising the steps of: making the lateral struts and the teeth or crampons by means of an extrusion step in relation to an extrusion axis parallel to the main direction of the struts, in such way that the lateral struts have a closed tubular cross-section and are provided, in one piece therewith, with a rib, making, by machining said rib, said teeth or crampons. 